Trudeau feted by Kerry at Foggy Bottom

Secretary of State John Kerry makes a toast with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a luncheon meeting at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, a man known for both his facility in French and his fondness for hockey, seemed to revel in his role as natural host to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today during a luncheon in the Benjamin Franklin dining room at Foggy Bottom.

During his introduction of the PM, Kerry joked that he and Trudeau have much in common. “He is young, hip, good-looking popular – and a hockey fan.” Kerry pointed out that one of the three Stanley Cups was on display in the next room.

“It’s an honour to be in the presence of the most influential Canadian…Lorne Michaels,” Kerry cracked to a gathering that included Canadian cabinet ministers and US dignitaries from former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to the Canadian-born “Saturday Night Live” creator and executive producer. Montreal chef Spike Mendelsohn, who has become a well-known D.C. restaurateur, catered the affair.

Kerry, more familiar to Canadians as a carefully calibrated, patrician diplomat, loosened up the crowd like a comic, playing up the adoring coverage Trudeau has received in the US.

“[Trudeau] has a favourability rating that is equal to that of Wayne Gretzky and Rachel McAdams, and well ahead of Justin Bieber,” he quipped.

He also referenced the threat that some Americans intend to move to Canada if Donald Trump wins the upcoming US election. He acknowledged the size of the press contingent at the back of the room and said he can’t think of any other reason why Google hits for the search term ‘moving to Canada’ have reached an all-time high.

Kerry said the reason the U.S. And Canada’s friendship has endured is not a matter of geography — it’s because we share interests and values.

Kerry commended Trudeau on his decisions regarding the fight against the so-called Islamic State, Canada’s efforts in welcoming 25,000 Syrian refugees, and the signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership.

Both Kerry and Trudeau toasted and Trudeau said, “may we continue to show the world what friendship between neighbours truly means.”